Being ahead of schedule was always a nice thing, Agitha knew, but she still wasn't sure if she was ready. She and Ghirahim had made it to the temple in less time than expected, though she wasn't quite sure if her courage was up to par for this sort of thing. And standing in front of the giant doors only made her feel smaller than ever.

"Well, this is it, I suppose," she whimpered, clutching her parasol tightly. "Agitha doesn't know how much help she'll be, but…"

"Don't worry about that," Ghirahim replied bluntly. "Fight if you want, but just stay out of my way."

Agitha nodded, filling herself with the will to go on. Sky was important to her, so she had to help get him back! She placed her hands on the wooden doors, pushing against it with all her-

"Who's this now?"

She halted at the sound of Ghirahim's complaint. In the distance a young woman was running up to them, her silhouette only visible against the horizon. The girl was waving wildly for them to stop until she was bent over panting in front of them.

"S-Sorry, I just wanted you to wait for a-" She looked up to see whom she was talking to, but her eyes widened at the sight of Ghirahim. And he looked equally surprised to see her…

"Oh, why if it isn't the Sky Child's little friend," he chuckled. "I certainly didn't expect to see you of all people here. I assume you've come to save him as well."

"His name is Link," the girl grimaced. "And as a matter of fact, I have. What are you even doing here anyway? I thought we got rid of you."

Ghirahim tutted and shook his head. "It seems someone hasn't learned about the convoluted dimension crossing going on. That's alright, we can fill you in later when there's time. It seems like some other friends of ours are coming."

"We've actually been standing here for a while…"

The young woman let out a sharp yelp and turned to see who was next to her. Agitha recognized him quite easily, even in adult form. "W-Who-?!"

"I could ask you the same," Adult Link retorted, quirking an eyebrow. Zelda, who was standing next to him with her usual graceful composure, smiled kindly at the group's new addition.

"Be kind to her, Link," she scolded gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We don't know what the poor thing had to go through to get here."

"Link?" the girl repeated, furrowing her brows. "But that's impossible. Link is in that temple."

Adult Link sighed and looked to Ghirahim. "Does she not know about the stupid time travel crap? Whatever, doesn't matter. What's your name, by the way?"

She blinked stupidly at his blunt question. "Um, it's Zelda."

The Hero of Time instantly grabbed New Zelda's shoulders and stared intently at her, making the poor girl seem very uncomfortable. "Are you from the sky?!"

"Y-Yeah…"

Adult Link pushed her away and folded his arms childishly. "This is such bullshit! Sky's Zelda is hotter than mine!"

Wolf's Zelda giggled and patted his head playfully. "At least take comfort in the fact that you did have her, hm?"

"Oh, c'mon, just look at me," Adult Link huffed. "I'm the best looking, so I deserve the best looking Zelda! And you're too old for me, so I can't have you."

"What was that?" The queen gave him the scariest glare she could muster and the hero shrunk under it. Agitha took the opportunity to walk up to Sky's Zelda and take her hand.

"I'm very sorry for everyone," she apologized with a smile. "They're all quite nice when you get to know them. See, that Link over there is the reincarnation of your friend. It might be a little disappointing, but you won't remember to keep your standards high in the next life. Don't worry about taking it in now, just think about getting Sky back, okay?"

Sky Zelda gave her a long, blank stare but nodded all the same. Luckily she didn't seem to notice Adult Link giving her odd glances from the side.

"Let's all get ready, everyone," Wolf Zelda announced with her noble authority. "All of us against Cia should be enough, but we must take precautions. As for battle strategy, Agitha, this other Zelda, and I will take up the back." She turned to Sky Zelda and asked, "Can you fight?"

"Just a little," she admitted. "I have a bow and arrow, but that's about it."

"Good enough. So that means Link and Ghirahim will handle the frontlines."

"Actually," Agitha interrupted. "I'd like to search the dungeon for anybody Cia may be hiding down there. They might be able to help us!"

Wolf Zelda nodded in approval. "That sounds fine, but I'm only giving you ten minutes to do it. Be sure to do it by then so you can come back and help us. Is that enough for you?"

"Uh-huh!" Agitha grinned ecstatically, glad she could finally be of some good use.

While the others were chattering away, Sky Zelda heard a faint voice in the back of her head.

"I think this is where our partnership ends," the man said distantly. "But it's alright. I'll still be around a while. Just say if you need me."

She struggled to keep a saddened expression off her face. This was sudden for her, and he was the only company she had for a while. It was hard not to get attached.

"Don't worry about that," the man laughed half-heartedly. "But before I go… You remember how I said you knew me as Hylia? It's aright if you don't. You don't need useless memories like me. But I didn't tell you that…I sort of grew to like Hylia after a while. A lot."

Zelda's chest tightened at his words. She wasn't quite sure to respond.

"I don't need an answer. It just makes me wonder if I was just created as a pawn for you and nothing more. Like I was just some puppet for your personal use. And I'm okay with that. Somehow. Isn't that weird? And I can tell you your little Hero of Sky feels the same as me. You said it yourself, right? That he was ready to dive headfirst into danger for you?"

Her breathing quickened a bit. Where was he going with this?

"It seems a little odd for a young man to be entirely devoted to a girl he's not even dating. So it made me wonder if he even has a freewill of his own. If any of us do. Maybe we're all just Hylia's toys, created especially to serve her incarnations and protect them with our very lives. Tell me, why don't I have a problem with that prospect? Why does it even seem natural to me?"

Zelda stayed silent.

"I'm pretty sure if you went up to Link and told his stab himself with his own blade he'd do it. So just promise me one thing: don't let him become too obsessed with protecting you. It's that logic of his that made his life a living hell. Make him think for himself for once. Don't let him become another puppet like a few others I know."

And with that, he was gone, leaving Zelda to decipher his cryptic message.

"Alright, is that all?" Wolf Zelda summoned a rapier in her hand without waiting for an answer. "Then let's go in there and storm the temple. Don't worry about anyone except Cia unless they give you a real problem. If that happens, call on me and I'll take them for you."

Everyone nodded collectively and looked up to the temple. This was it. This was the end.

And they weren't leaving until they won the final battle.

"Good morning, dear."

Cia rested her chin in her hands as she gazed into her crystal ball. Having moved from one era to another, she finally found another hero that caught her interest. Despite having initially been another child like a few prior, his tale was enthralling enough to keep her interested. And patience truly was a virtue in Cia's case. After a while, some odd mumbo jumbo with a Master Sword happened and now he was a teenager. It was a tad convoluted, but whatever made him easier on the eyes didn't bother her.

However, the only issue she had among her senseless fawning was the look in his eyes. Those captivating eyes that used to shine with wonder and waver with fear were now empty. Void of any expression at all. After a twisted place called the Shadow Temple he wasn't quite the same. Even the Gerudo, a typically man-hating group of warrior women, took pity and made him one of them.

"Don't worry, Link!" an irritating little sprite exclaimed. "You got all the medallions, so there's no more fighting to do."

"But we haven't found her," Link replied flatly.

Cia involuntarily rolled her eyes. It didn't take a genius to know "her" was Zelda, now a pampered princess living in a castle. No one knew of her since her disappearance seven years ago. Link saw something in this weak, figureless girl. Perhaps a distant memory from his past lives?

"Maybe she's back at the Temple of Time," the fairy said optimistically, referencing where they were headed. "Don't give up hope! We'll see her soon."

"And what if she's dead?"

The question was so blunt even Cia froze in suspense. What happened to that naïve little boy? Had it been that long since all this started?

"She's not dead," the fairy scolded. "Don't say that! Sheik said-"

"I don't give a shit was Sheik said, Navi," Link snapped harshly. "We don't even know who Sheik really is."

Cia sighed sorrowfully at his reaction. Sure, she was happy that wench Zelda was gone, but this was obviously too much for Link. He had little to hold onto in the world, and without her…

She shook her head. No, he'd get over it. And eventually, he'd find a girlfriend worthy of his perfection.

A goofy smile spread across her face as she imagined that girl being her. With Link holding her in his arms and pulling her close and saying something really, really dirt-

"He's nine, child."

Cia let out a shriek and fell off her chair. She struggled to pull herself up, shooting her teacher a hard glare. "Hello, teacher," she greeted sarcastically.

"Oh, my dear," her teacher sighed. "You shouldn't get too attached to your work. It's not healthy."

"Please," Cia scoffed. "You drop me in here day in and day out to watch a handsome boy and you expect me to not have – err, thoughts about him? Were you never young?"

"I was young, not insane." The old crone glanced at the crystal ball. "He already has a young woman in his life anyway."

Cia's eyes widened in panic. She planted her hands on the desk and gripped its edges as she leaned over the dreaded image shown before her: Zelda gripping Link's hands as tears formed in his eyes. The sorceress could barely choke out her fury.

"H-How did this-?!"

"It seems Sheik was Zelda the whole time," her teacher smiled, attempting to comfort her student. "He simply wasn't meant for you, child. All girls go through a time like this, getting obsessed with a boy out of their reach. Once you gain more freedom as you age you'll find a nice young man to-"

"No."

She raised a brow in confusion. "I'm sorry?"

"I said no." Cia spun around and grabbed her teacher by the collar of her robes. "He's mine! I know him better than that bitch ever will!"

"C-Calm yourself, child," the old woman stuttered, for once showing a bit of nervousness. "There's no need to get so worked up."

"Yes there is!" Cia shouted. "Look at all the awful things he's being put through! I've seen every bit of it, and only I can save him. I can and I will!"

"It's not your place!"

Cia inhaled sharply, not finding the words to combat her.

But she didn't need words.

Cia pulled back and threw the woman across her room, slamming her into the wall. "Not my place, did you say?" the sorceress retorted through gritted teeth. She raised a hand cracking with energy. "Don't tell me where my place is!"

She thrust her hand forward and sent a purple bolt of lightning straight into her teacher's heart. The old woman convulsed for a few short moments before finally going limp. Cia smiled down with satisfaction. After that came confusion. Then shock.

Then realization.

"Oh, no," was the only thing she could say. For the longest time she just matched her teacher's blank stare. What was she supposed to do? Tell someone? No, she'd get the death sentence. Dump the body? Someone would notice!

But one more look at the crystal ball reminded Cia of her wrath. Zelda was now resting her head on Link's chest as he held her lovingly. The sorceress nearly exploded in rage. That was supposed to be her! Not that stupid wench!

She took the ball in her hands and held it at eye level. "I wish I was there with you, darling," she sighed. "I'm so trapped in here. We're both just toys for a higher power to play with. Only you love yours. How can you even manage such a thing? She ruined your life. I don't understand it. And you would never have to come save me. If I ever got captured, I wouldn't wait or go into hiding. I'd just start running to you."

Cia placed the crystal ball back in its place with a heavy heart. She knew Link would never even know she existed, yet it just wasn't something she could accept. But that was the least of her worries at the moment.

She glanced back at the body of her teacher. Luckily she had a disappearance spell to use, and making up an alibi wouldn't be hard since there weren't any witnesses. But…

Her shoulders slumped. Why did she have to love a man she could never be with? Why was it consuming her so much? More and more questions buzzed around in her hand. Maybe she was insane for having such thoughts. And yet having one obstacle between Cia and her true love…

Well, admittedly, it was the best feeling she ever had.

*Damn, Cia, you crazy. 0_0

Young Link: It's like we were made for each other! :D

Yeah, yeah. Anywho, it took only two days to write this, so I'm doing pretty good. :3

Sky: Well, maybe if you weren't playing so many Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires, you'd have more free time…

Xun Yu: What, you don't like my game?!

Sky: Not even if it eats into my time!

Xun Yu: But you're my own brother! We have the same voice actor and everything. ;_;

Don't worry, I still love you. We could be the next Cia and Link! *Yuno face*

Xun Yu: … *backs away slowly*

K bye.*